Dutch short track star Jens van 't Wout has a gold tooth and now has 2 gold medals at the Olympics

MILAN (AP) — Dutch short track speedskating star Jens van ’t Wout can taste victory.

Van 't Wout, who has a gold tooth because of a skating accident seven years ago, won his second Olympic gold medal on Saturday night.

His victory in the 1,500 meters came two days after he topped the podium in the 1,000 at the Milan Cortina Games.

“Getting the golden tooth for me was a special moment, because after my accident I did have a little bit of time to decide if I dared to continue with the sport,” he said of the collision that knocked out two teeth and left him with a scar on his right cheek.

“Now, getting these gold medals and having a golden tooth, it’s just a nice connection.”

South Korea’s Daeheon Hwang took the silver medal and Roberts Kruzbergs of Latvia was third for bronze as Canadian short track star William Dandjinou had to settle for fifth.

Van ’t Wout raised his arms after crossing the line in 2 minutes, 12.219 seconds and immediately skated over to a sea of orange-clad teammates and family members to share hugs at the Milano Ice Skating Arena.

Hwang, the gold medalist in the 2022 Beijing Games, finished in 2:12.304.

The results were held up for several minutes for a penalty review that didn’t change the podium.

The 24-year-old van ’t Wout said he came into these Games not particularly confident because he didn't have a great season.

“I'm super, super pumped. I always dreamed to become an Olympic champion, but I never thought in my mind that I could win two distances,” he said.

Because of penalties in the semifinals, three skaters were advanced to the final. That meant a crowded field of nine, instead of the usual seven. At a teammate's urging, van ’t Wout watched a video of the 2022 Beijing final that Hwang won — it was also crowded.

“I tried to maybe copy his tactic a little bit — stay in the front. I have no idea how it worked but it worked. That's the beauty of short track,” he said.

Canada, still in search of its first gold medal of these Games, had high hopes for Dandjinou, who made a brief pledge after his disappointing final.

“I only have one thing to say — one day I will be an Olympic champion,” he said. “Mark my words.”

Dandjinou, the reigning 1,500 meters world champion, also didn’t get on the podium in the 1,000 meters.

Van ’t Wout said he felt bad he couldn't spend more time with his girlfriend on Valentine's Day.

Alas, there was a gold medal to win.

“I gave some flowers to my girlfriend, but I couldn't do much, and I'm pretty sure it's almost (midnight), so I think it was probably the worst Valentine's Day for her.”

AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics

Gold medalist Jens van 't Wout of the Netherlands jumps on the podium to receive his medal after the short track speed skating men's 1500m at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

From left to right, silver medalist Hwang Daeheon of South Korea, gold medalist Jens van 't Wout of the Netherlands and bronze medalist Roberts Kruzbergs of Latvia receive their medals after the short track speed skating men's 1500m at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Jens van 't Wout of the Netherlands leads in the quarterfinals during the men's 1500 meter short track speed skating at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Gold medalist Jens van 't Wout of the Netherlands celebrates after the short track speed skating men's 1500m final at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Gold medalist Jens van 't Wout of the Netherlands celebrates after the short track speed skating men's 1500m final at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

MILAN (AP) — In net for the U.S. against Denmark at the Milan Cortina Olympics on Saturday night, Jeremy Swayman gave up a goal from 95 feet out that could get talked about for years to come.

Nicholas B. Jensen sent a seemingly harmless shot toward Swayman from just past the center red line. Swayman moved his glove, and the puck went in over his right shoulder.

“It was just the perfect height right between the stands and board level, and I truly lost it,” Swayman said after the U.S. came back to win 6-3. “Definitely one I went back, but at the same time, especially at this level, you’ve got to stay even-keeled. It’s one shot at a time and no matter how they go in, you’ve got to step up and stop the next one.”

That goal gave Denmark the lead 11 minutes in. Jensen had scored three goals in 11 years of international play before he took advantage of Swayman's gaffe.

“First I wanted to dump it, and then I was like, ‘OK, I might as well just put it toward the net,’” Jensen said. “It’s hard to see with the bleachers, but no, I got lucky. And I appreciate he gave me that.”

Asked if he'd ever seen a goal like that, Denmark's Lars Eller said, “It's been a while.”

On the NBC broadcast, analyst and retired goalie Brian Boucher wondered if the dark color of the boards contributed to Swayman not being able to see where the shot came from. Swayman laughed it off, joking he's colorblind, so it doesn't matter.

“It’s something all of us always have to face and we play in different arenas every night in the NHL, so this is just one, another one, and it’s a challenge that we have to embrace,” Swayman said.

The goal brought back memories of Belarus’ Vladimir Kopat beating Sweden’s Tommy Salo at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City on a similar long-distance shot from center ice. That goal came with 2:24 left in the quarterfinals and was responsible for one of the biggest upsets in international hockey history.

Jack Eichel and Brady Tkachuk taking over the game ensured this wouldn't be a U.S. loss put on Swayman, and teammates weren't too worried about keeping the 27-year-old goalie's spirits up.

“Funky bounce — you just move on,” said Eichel, who set up Tkachuk's first of two goals and scored one of his own. “Sway is a confident man. He knows nine times out of 10 — or 99 times out of 100 — he’s going to have that. It’s a crazy play. ... We don’t fault him.”

Coach Mike Sullivan said he never considered pulling Swayman, who allowed two goals on seven shots in the first period. Sullivan insisted Connor Hellebuyck, who figures to start Sunday night against Germany, dressing as the backup did not factor into his thinking.

“We believe in him,” Sullivan said. “He’s a good goalie.”

The U.S. coaching staff chose Swayman to start the second game against Denmark. Swayman was having perhaps the best NHL season of the three with the Boston Bruins and backstopped the U.S. to win the world championships last spring, and defenseman Zach Werenski thinks those achievements outweigh one bad goal.

“Stuff like that happens,” Werenski said. “I mean, the first one I score on him. It hits off my skate and goes in, and you just got to keep playing. ... He’s been in big situations before, so he knows how to handle that. He bounced back great. It didn’t seem like there was any panic in his game, and I thought he played really well.”

AP Winter Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics

United States' goalkeeper Jeremy Swayman, right, makes a save against Denmark's Lars Eller, center, during a preliminary round match of men's ice hockey between United States and Denmark at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

United States' goalkeeper Jeremy Swayman makes a save during a preliminary round match of men's ice hockey between United States and Denmark at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Denmark's Nicholas Jensen celebrates with his teammates after scoring his side's second goal during a preliminary round match of men's ice hockey between United States and Denmark at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

United States' goalkeeper Jeremy Swayman dives to makes a save as Denmark's Nick Olesen scores his side's opening goal during a preliminary round game of men's ice hockey between the United States and Denmark at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (Bruce Bennett/Pool Photo via AP)